[GSBN] Catalan vaults

[Bill Steen]

When it comes to masonry vaults and domes, southern Mexico as a whole is rich in those traditions, particularly those built from fired brick.
To narrow down accessibility from afar, perhaps the best way for Chris to go about it is to google "Flying Concrete and its principal Steve Kornher who lies in the San Miguel de Allende area.
His work can be found on line, in Lloyd Kahn's book "Homework" and he is primarily known for lightweight concrete structures that incorporate an extensive use of vaults and domes.
He should be a good resource and if he can't provide what is needed, I'm sure he knows many a builder from that area.


Bill Steen
bill at caneloproject.com
www.caneloproject.com
www.caneloproject.com/blog
HC1 Box 324
Elgin, AZ85611






On Dec 12, 2011, at 10:42 AM, Andy Horn wrote:

> 
> Hi Chris
> I was fortunate to travel to Mexico about a month ago and while there in a
> place called san Migel I saw what are known as "Boveda" domes /
> vaults....they are a special kind of vault / dome space that is very flat
> ....very practical ....and in some of the old churches appeared from
> roundings on the sides to curve into these flat stone slabs ....they were
> the quite remarkable structures.
> 
> I did a guided tour of some houses and saw a modern house, which had used
> the same technique to build all its roofs. I then learnt that apparently
> there was 1 old builder who had still known the technique and someone
> wanting to build with this old method had discovered this old guy and had
> given him the chance to teach his method to some younger builders. It has
> since gone through something of a revival in the area and has become a
> celebrated local vernacular with many newer houses now  using this
> technique.
> 
> They look like what  know as a  "squinch domes" , howev er in Mexico they
> take it to another level in terms of flatness and weaving into vaulted
> spaces as well. I can send you pictures - or any others of you if are
> interested. If you google Boveda dome you will find quite a bit of it on the
> web and even on U-Tube.
> 
> I also have a friend there that could hopefully put you in touch with
> someone who knows the construction method more intimately.
> 
> Kind regards
> Andy Horn
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: GSBN-bounces at sustainablesources.com
> [mailto:GSBN-bounces at sustainablesources.com] On Behalf Of Chris Magwood
> Sent: 11 December 2011 06:55 PM
> To: (private, with public archives) Global Straw Building Network
> Subject: [GSBN] Catalan vaults
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> The mention on this list some months back about Catalan vaults (or 
> Guastavino vaults) sparked my interest, and we've now decided to forge 
> ahead and build one as the roof for a buried, earthbag root cellar at 
> Trent University.
> 
> Does anybody have experience building these, or know of anybody who 
> does. I'd like to try and hire in somebody to lead us in this build. 
> It's a small structure (18 x 22 ft) so it won't be a long build, but I 
> always like to have someone knowledgeable in charge when doing things I 
> haven't done before.
> 
> The budget for the project is not high, but I would be willing to try 
> and cover travel costs, food, lodging and a bit of cash for the right 
> person.
> 
> Let me know!
> 
> Chris
> 
> -- 
> www.chrismagwood.ca
> www.endeavourcentre.org
> 
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